Abstract: A pail labeling machine is disclosed which applies labels to the sides of pails and particularly those having a bail. A continuously moving conveyor is provided which has a loading station, a labeling station and a discharge station. Positioned above the conveyor is a bail guide which maintains the pail bail in an upright position. The bail of the pail is guided in an upright position by the bail guide into a segment of a bail guide carried by a turret of a pail rotation drive mechanism positioned at the labeling station. The pail is arrested in its movement on the conveyor at the labeling station by a pair of rollers which swing into the path of the pail. The bail engaged by the segment of bail guide carried by the turret and rotated by the pail rotation drive mechanism is utilized to rotate the pail as a label is fed from a labeling machine into contact with the side of the pail. The label is in this manner rolled into place upon the side of the pail.